To be a doctoral supervisor at Tsinghua University, one must possess considerable capabilities, yet it was not solely due to such merits that He Long monopolized the highly profitable additive research project.
This Xu something, judging by his confident and arrogant demeanor, Liu Chen surmised he likely came from a well-off family. Ordinary counselors would find it difficult to control such second or third-generation heirs.
However, an instinct told Liu Chen that He Long could.
As expected, after a frown, He Long directly pressed the phone on his desk: "Someone is clearly harassing our students. How does your security department manage this?"
Xu Ke initially heard this and responded with a flippant grin, even with a hint of provocation: "Teacher, I haven't done anything. Besides, it's an era of free love now. What's considered harassment in pursuing the opposite sex? Perhaps Liu Chen dislikes it verbally, but secretly enjoys it."
Hearing this, Liu Chen turned his head to observe the look of disgust on Professor He Long's face.
Back in the laboratory, Liu Chen had noticed a clear divide between genders, and He Long maintained a respectful distance from female students. He had even once suspected He Long of being gay, until he saw a family photo on his desk, realizing that He Long, as a doctoral supervisor, simply exhibited the consciousness of a husband and father.
At this moment, personnel from the school's security department arrived.
"Take this student away. I need to speak with the neighboring school. Liu Chen, you don't need to follow. Go about your business."
With that, He Long stood up, adjusted his coat, and, with a serious expression, led the security guards and the restrained Xu Ke away.
-
Liu Chen was unclear about how He Long negotiated with the neighboring school, only knowing that the bothersome nuisance had finally disappeared.
A few days later, towards the end of early January, Liu Chen learned that doctoral supervisor He Long would only be in his office for half the day. He brought a box of tea and went to express his gratitude.
"Knock, knock."
After tapping lightly on the office door, he heard a "Come in" from within before pressing the doorknob and entering.
As the door opened, Liu Chen saw two people sitting by the desk. Upon closer inspection, they were the mother and daughter from the family photo on He Long's desk.
"Hello, Teacher He, hello, Madame."
He Siyu, sitting at He Long's desk, widened her eyes abruptly upon seeing Liu Chen.
"Meimei Chang!"
Hearing this moniker, Liu Chen didn't get angry; instead, he felt a sense of happiness.
"Yes, I am the founder of Meimei Chang. It's nice to meet you for the first time."
After saying "Meimei Chang," He Siyu's face turned bright red, and her fingers incessantly twirled. She had been purely overwhelmed with excitement. Normally, when she went out without her mother, she could barely communicate with anyone.
Seeing that Liu Chen seemed unfazed, she slowly peeked out from behind her mother and said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, "Hello, my name is He Siyu."
He Long observed his daughter actively interacting with a stranger and exchanged a surprised glance with his wife, Zhen Yu.
After all, their precious daughter rarely interacted with anyone outside of them, not even her paternal grandparents.
Over the years, many had advised them to have another child and let the grandparents raise this one, but…
This was his child, the crystallization of his and his wife's love, how could he bear to?
Moreover, they had long been mentally prepared to support this daughter for her entire life.
Their only concern was.
They were getting older, and when they were gone, what would become of this child in the world?
They would prepare sufficient wealth, but they lacked relatives who could maintain a calm disposition towards this wealth.
Seeing his daughter's reaction to Liu Chen now, He Long felt a surge of pleasant surprise. Could it be that his daughter's condition was showing signs of improvement?
"Teacher He, I apologize for the trouble I caused last time."
Saying this, Liu Chen placed the box of tea he had been holding on He Long's desk with both hands: "My family found out and insisted I bring this as a token of my appreciation. It's not worth much, but it's out of gratitude."
He Long glanced at the box of tea on the desk. The packaging appeared simple, likely costing no more than a hundred or two hundred yuan. However…
Given that it was Liu Chen presenting it, He Long felt a bit uncertain about its actual price.
Under normal circumstances, He Long would have outright refused the tea. But now, he wanted Liu Chen to mentor his daughter, He Siyu.
"That is simply my duty as a teacher, and it's not worth you coming here to thank me specially. How about this, my wife and I have some matters to attend to at noon. Would you mind taking Siyu out for a meal, and we can have dinner together around four or five in the afternoon?"
Before Liu Chen could even finish responding to He Long's doctoral supervisor's conversational gambit, he saw that the supervisor not only hadn't refused his gift but had also entrusted his daughter to him. What… what did this mean?
Confusedly, Liu Chen took He Siyu's hand and left the office. Stepping outside and feeling the biting wind, he finally realized that this classmate He Siyu seemed a bit shy.
She hadn't spoken a word the entire way, but her grip on his hand was firm.
"Siyu, how old are you this year?"
"Sister Liu, I'm twenty-four years old."
Huh?
Upon hearing this, Liu Chen couldn't help but turn his head to look at He Siyu, who was standing to his left. The young woman's face was still very youthful; just now, Liu Chen had thought she looked like she was in junior high school.
However…
Was she mistaking him for a doctoral student of her father?
"Sister Siyu, you've misunderstood. I'm not a doctoral student under Teacher He; I'm a freshman at Tsinghua."
After explaining, Liu Chen led He Siyu towards the school gate. The weather was cold, and the forecast predicted heavy snow. His other four friends had arranged to have lamb hot pot today.
As they walked, he had already mentioned bringing someone along. They were now ordering dishes and waiting for him.
It wasn't until he got into the car that Liu Chen realized something was amiss.
He Siyu hadn't let go of his hand. When he subtly loosened his grip to signal his intention to release it, she tightened her hold even further.
Just as Liu Chen was about to ask He Siyu something, he received a private message from Sang Ling:
'Chenchen, Doctoral Supervisor He Long's daughter has autism. Please be mindful.'
Autism?
Seeing the word, Liu Chen turned to look at He Siyu and noticed that as he looked at her, she offered him a shy yet brilliant smile.
Her eyes sparkled, filled with an obvious dependence as she gazed at him.
Liu Chen's throat felt a bit tight. Why would Doctoral Supervisor He Long entrust his daughter to him on their first meeting?